“Hanna” (international name: Haikui) intensified into a typhoon on Friday, Sept. 1, but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it is still unlikely to make landfall over any part of the country.

Typhoon Hanna has maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph as of 11 a.m., Friday.

It was last spotted 785 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, moving westward at 20 kph.

Although a landfall scenario is unlikely, typhoon Hanna, as well as two tropical cyclones outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR)—typhoon Saola (previously “Goring”) and severe tropical storm Kirogi—may continue to strengthen the effects of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” over the next three days.

Occasional heavy to intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may prevail over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while occasional moderate to heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may persist in Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas until Sunday, Sept. 3.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA warned.

Hanna will likely leave the PAR by Sunday.

New cyclone possible by weekend

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said a low-pressure area (LPA) may form from a cloud cluster east of the country within 24 hours.

He advised the public to continue monitoring PAGASA’s updates regarding this potential weather disturbance as it may develop into a tropical depression by weekend.

Based on the PAGASA’s climatological data, two or three tropical cyclones may enter or form within the PAR in September.

The next tropical cyclone names will be Ineng, Jenny, and Kabayan.

READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/1/ph-may-have-2-or-3-tropical-cyclones-in-september-pagasa